SIR – David Cameron purports to reduce EU immigration by invoking clumsy legislation which he must have known from the outset would be thrown out by his EU masters. A method of controlling immigration already exists in the precedent set by Hungary and accepted as having EU conformity.

EU immigrants to Hungary do not need a residence visa but do need a registration card and an address card which taken together are virtually the same thing.

These two cards will not be issued without the immigrant being able to prove on entry that they have the financial wherewithal, set at a minimum of 4,500 euro of private funds, to provide for themselves and their family without being dependent upon the state.

These cards must be obtained within 90 days of entry and without them they cannot get a tax card which permits them to work and a security card, without which they get no state benefits, neither are they able to buy and register a car or rent property.

Cameron does not ring true and the presumption must be that he is overtly trying to counter Ukip whilst at the same time covertly protecting the overriding interest of those Conservative supporters who financially benefit from immigration.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon